AD/A320/183 Additional Centre Fuel Tanks (Cth)

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.001(1) of CASR 1998.  The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.

Airbus Industrie A319, A320 and A321 Series Aeroplanes

AD/A320/183 Additional Centre Fuel Tanks 10/2005

Applicability:

Model A319, A320, and A321 aircraft equipped with Additional Centre Tanks part numbers listed in DGAC AD F-2004-038.

Requirement:

Modify all Additional Centre Tank manhole covers and seals in accordance with Service Bulletin A320-28-1105 Revision 1, or later EASA approved revision.

Note 1:  Aircraft equipped with the additional centre tank option, and with modification 31935 incorporated in production or Service Bulletin A320-28-1105 incorporated in service, and on which no affected additional centre tank part number has since been installed, are not affected by this Directive.

Note 2:  DGAC AD F-2004-038 refers.

Compliance:

Before 31 October 2005, unless already accomplished.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 29 September 2005.

Background:

The manufacturer received a report of an additional centre tank automatic fuel transfer failure on an A319 aircraft.  Investigation revealed extruded manhole cover seals allowing air leakage.  Unless corrected, fuel and/or vapour could leak into the cargo compartment.

David Punshon
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

18 August 2005